Mail-box



G. S. LIGHT. MAIL BOX.

- Patented Aug. 30, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE S. LIGHT, OF OOVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

MAIL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 481,621, dated August30, 1892.

Application filed November '7, 1891. Serial No. 411,232. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, GEORGE S. LIGHT, a citizen of the United States,residing at (lovington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky,have invented a new and useful Mail- Box, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to mail-boxes; and it consists in theconstruction and arrangement of the parts thereof, as will be more fullyhereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a mail-box with a series ofdistributing divisions or drawers of simple and effective constructionand operation, strong and durable, easily handled and set up for use,and cheaply manufactured.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved box withthe one end exposed. Fig. 2 is a similar view looking at the oppositeend of the box. Fig. 3 is a similar view of one of the drawers removed.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in theseveral views.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the body of the boxconstructed of sheet metal, preferably galvanized iron, and formed witha central partition. The box is divided into a mail-receiving apartment,as 2, with an opening or slot 3, covered by a dropdoor 4 and having ahinged door 5 at the opposite end, which is secured by a suitable haspand look, as at 6. The end of the box adjacent to the opening or slot 3is formed with a series of pigeon-holes of various sizes having lockdoors or casings, as 7, and wherein is fitted a series of drawers 8 openat one end. These drawers provide what is known as rent-boxesforindividuals who will carry keys to the same, similar to lock-boxesnow in use. These lock-drawers 8 and doors or covers therefor arecovered by an exterior door 9, which may be provided with a springlock.The open ends of the drawers 8 are located at theggpposite ends of thebox, as at 10, and are covered by a door 11, which is secured inconnection with the hasp 6 and can only be opened by themail-distributing clerk or other authoritative person at the postofficeor station. In these open ends of the drawers the mail is distributed tovarious parties renting the same, and the door 11 then closed andlocked, so that access thereto may be had only at the end thereofcovered by the door 9, which will be located in convenient position orplace for engagement by proper individuals having keys thereto.

In the side of each box is formed or attached a bracket 12, having across slat or strip 13, in whichare inserted postal-cards.

These boxes are adapted to be mounted outdoors at suitable stations orplaces, and are provided with a series of rings or eyes, as 14, forinsertion of a chain or other fastening 15, passed therethrough andaround a post or tree, as shown in Fig. 2. Other rings 16 are alsoprovided, which may be used in addition to or independently of the ringsor eyes 14. At certain periods the boxes will be disconnected from theirsecured positions, as just set forth, and be conveyed by a top handle 16to a central station or office where the mail is properly distributedand placed in the drawers, and then aseries of the boxes can be arrangedclosely together after the manner of tiers of lock-boxes for convenientaccess of the individuals carrying keys to their respective drawers, andthereafter the boxes may be set up, as represented by Fig. 2.

To strengthen the sheet-metal structure of each box it is surrounded bya metallic binding 17 at opposite ends to provide rigidity.

The advantages and conveniences of a structure of this character arereadily apparent to those skilled in the art and need not be furtherelaborated on therein.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Amail-box having a series of drawers therein closed at one end and openat the other, a mail-compartment above said drawers, and hinged doorswith hasps and looks over the ends of said drawers, substantially asdescribed.

2. A mailbox having a series of drawers therein open at one end andclosed at the other and extending therethrough from end to end, amail-compartment above said drawers, hinged doors adapted to close overthe end of the drawers entire, hasps and locks for securing said doors,rings on the box, and a chain to engage said rings and support the boxin proper position, substantially as described.

GEORGE S. LIGHT.

Witnesses:

J. G. TAYLOR, J. GRAY Lows.

